I love this question because while only 400 people can end up on the Forbes 400 list, there is no limit to how many of us can use money more wisely to increase our personal happiness. Laura’s book is filled with insights about ways in which you can shift your thinking about – and use of – money to add more joy to your life.

This issue of how to find financial security and serenity in a post-2008 economy is one I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as I am developing my new MoneyZen methodology. So, I was excited when Laura agreed to answer five questions that can help each of use redefine our relationship with money to one that maximizes our personal priorities and interests.

Manisha: With the relative prosperity of the U.S., why do so many of us experience a sense of lack?

Laura: This sense of lack stems from two sources. The first is choosing a problematic reference group. If you compare yourself to the people you see on TV — that is, if you try to keep up with the Kardashians and their ilk — you can feel dissatisfied. But if you compare yourself to the billions of people on this planet who live on less than $2 a day, you’ll feel indescribably rich. You can choose either reference group, but one will make you feel much more blessed. Second, even if we realize that we do have enough, we have a tendency to overspend on big ticket items that we get used to over time: the house, the car, diamond engagement rings. Spending less on these categories frees up cash to splurge on little indulgences that will make us happy every time: going out with friends, vacations, charity, even something like a painting class.

Manisha: What kind of mindset shift needs to happen for us to relate to money from a place of joy?

Laura: We need to recognize that money is just a means of exchange. Stripped of all the drama, it is simply a tool. Since it is a tool, we can use it to help us build the lives we want. When you look at it that way, you realize that money is powerful, but it’s most powerful when you put it to use to build a better life for you and the people you care about.

Manisha: What is the significance of pursuing your passions in creating a joyful relationship to money?

Laura: I think there is significance on both the spending side and the earning side. On the spending side, if you read too many frugality blogs, you start to forget that money is there to be used. I think people spend money most wisely when they figure out exactly what makes them happy — trips to an art museum, for instance, or maybe gourmet food — and then spend a lot on those categories, and as little as possible on other things. On the earning side, being in the right job can definitely give you a joyful relationship with money.

Manisha: How do you relate to money in ways that are personally meaningful?

Laura: I’ve learned that spending money in a few ways is guaranteed to bring me happiness. First, I spend on my social network. Throwing parties, going out with friends for lunch, or donating to organizations I volunteer with all give a big happiness bang for my buck. Second, I spend on experiences. Travel is worth doing right. And finally, I spend to buy myself time. We all have 168 hours a week, and all the money in the world can’t buy us a second more, but money can buy back time from chores to do other things.

Comments

Love this framework and reminder that money is meant to be spent (well) and to spend it on what brings us joy:
“I think people spend money most wisely when they figure out exactly what makes them happy — trips to an art museum, for instance, or maybe gourmet food — and then spend a lot on those categories, and as little as possible on other things.”

I think this really helps with friends, too – you and they know exactly what you love to do together.

Money can buy happiness, Too much money buys misery. All too often have we seen that 1%in unhappy endings… drugs, lawsuits, divorce. We all need spread our wealth wisely
. I like to give money to people i meet on the streets. Without judgment, i ask them their name and what are they planning for that day. I always feel such pride to just have stopped and recognized that they are also human beings no matter what their immediate financial situation.

Next time you see someone begging for Money, Try putting yourself in that situation. Say hello and share some of your wealth.

Focus on what gives you pleasure and turn off the mindless commentary in your brain. So many rewards in life aren’t financial; pets, family, friends, nature etc. It takes cotinual effort to keep focused on what really matters in life.

In spite of the veracity that money is a medium of exchange… it’s tough to really believe it. With the eons of chatter to the contrary, every reminder helps. Thanks for the review, seems like a good read. I like the attention to what really matters!

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About Manisha’s Money Zen Blog

This blog chronicles my quest to identify simple, joyful methods that we can all use to feel calmer and more balanced in our relationship to our money.

Despite the abundance of personal finance books, magazines, radio programs and TV shows that have exploded into our lives over the past two decades, most of us struggle to find financial sanity, security and serenity. Rather than help us eliminate money pain, all this information has left us feeling overwhelmed and confused. We need fresh wisdom to break out of the cycle of despair and create lives of abundance.

Here’s hoping these short pieces will help you craft a uniquely rich and rewarding life.

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DISCLOSURES | SITE BY WORTHY MARKETING GROUP | PHOTOS BY LOUIS LERAY
The material on this website is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Please see full text of disclosures for additional information. Copyright 2015 – MoneyZen, LLC.